Prostaglandins (PG) fulfill critical roles in mammalian physiology, such as platelet aggregation, modification of immune responses, influencing blood vessel tone and other; lately, they have been implicated in cancer development. High PG levels are present in many cancers. The rate-limiting enzymes for PG synthesis from arachidonic acid are the two cyclooxygenases: COX-1, that is constitutively expressed and apparently participates in normal physiological functions and COX-2, that is normally not expressed and if, only at very low levels, but is inducible and promotes carcinogenesis as well as the growth of established tumors. Clinical trials will be required to determine how useful COX-2 inhibition may be in cancer prevention or treatment.
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